Animal Welfare & Cruelty

Council has many responsibilities for the keeping of animals throughout the Shire – promoting responsible pet ownership, animals in public places or considering relevant animal related development applications. Council is not however the appropriate regulatory authority for dealing with issues of animal welfare or cruelty, but provides this information from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to assist residents in helping to ensure positive outcomes for animals living across the Shire.

What is animal cruelty?

Examples of cruel acts which could form the basis of a complaint are:

Animals which are exposed to extreme heat or cold (eg animals left in cars), or which are not adequately sheltered.

Animals which are suffering from hunger or thirst.

Animals which are hurt or abused.

Animals which are left untreated following an injury or illness.

Animals which are abandoned or which do not receive regular care.

Animals for which their environment is not suited to their needs through size, breed, infirmity etc.

Animals which are used to perform an illegal activity, eg where dogs or game cocks are encouraged to fight each other.

Who will take a complaint about animal cruelty?

If you suspect or witness cruelty to an animal, you should directly contact one of the animal cruelty enforcement agencies. These agencies are: